Kirby Larson's Blog, page 86
December 1, 2010
Books!
You need to know about these great new books by wonderful friends of mine.
Natasha Wing has the perfect book for aspiring paleontologists:
Helen Ketteman has created a fun new twist on the bedtime story:
Mary Nethery has a heartwarming historical picture book perfect for everyone who loves cannoli:
Ann Whitford Paul offers a story about building story:
And last but not least, Barbara Kerley's amazing Mark Twain biography:
Go, my child, and buy books. These books!
Natasha Wing has the perfect book for aspiring paleontologists:
Helen Ketteman has created a fun new twist on the bedtime story:
Mary Nethery has a heartwarming historical picture book perfect for everyone who loves cannoli:
Ann Whitford Paul offers a story about building story:
And last but not least, Barbara Kerley's amazing Mark Twain biography:
Go, my child, and buy books. These books!
November 30, 2010
Catching Up
Home from my travels on Sunday (I figured out that I've been gone from home 24 of the past 60 days!); Monday was spent unpacking our luggage and doing laundry and today I spent a tiny bit of time putting up some Christmas decorations.
Winston is glad we're home -- he hasn't left my side for a minute. But he's not too pleased about the boots Neil bought him for our daily walks.
I'm sure you can guess what Winston's thinking here.
He's also not too excited about the Christmas Moose door hanger in the kitchen. At first, he just barked at it but when he thought I wasn't looking, he took a more direct approach.
I didn't do anything, Mom -- honest!
Back to the writing desk tomorrow, but it was certainly good to take a couple of days to get caught up.
Winston is glad we're home -- he hasn't left my side for a minute. But he's not too pleased about the boots Neil bought him for our daily walks.
I'm sure you can guess what Winston's thinking here.He's also not too excited about the Christmas Moose door hanger in the kitchen. At first, he just barked at it but when he thought I wasn't looking, he took a more direct approach.
I didn't do anything, Mom -- honest!Back to the writing desk tomorrow, but it was certainly good to take a couple of days to get caught up.
November 28, 2010
A lovely compliment
The independent booksellers of the Pacific Northwest (great folks, all) have paid me a huge compliment by including The Fences Between Us on the shortlist for the PNBA Book Award. Hooray for this early Christmas present!
November 27, 2010
Winston at Camp Patneaude
Our darling friends, and Winston's aunt and uncle, Judy and Dave Patneaude, (be sure to read his new book, Epitaph Road!) are taking care of Winston while we're in New York. There is so much going on at Camp Patneaude, we're not sure Winston has had time to miss us:
A snowy night walk in Woodinville
Uncle Dave's Christmas Village
A snowy night walk in Woodinville
Uncle Dave's Christmas Village
November 26, 2010
A few New York photos
I haven't made it to the "new" City Hall subway station (recently re-opened and gorgeous) but did make it to the Highline Park -- isn't this an incredible way to re-purpose an old subway track??
Some of the flora adorning the path
Looking away from the river, to the city
Looking down one of the pathways on the Highline
Some of the flora adorning the path
Looking away from the river, to the city
Looking down one of the pathways on the Highline
November 25, 2010
Note to Grier
Dear Grier:
I tried. I really did. But Barbara would NOT let me buy her a cup of real coffee. Look what she brought in a baggy! She told me she even carried that evil Cafe Francais stuff around France! I'm thinking an intervention is in order if we ever get her to Seattle.
Love,
Kirby
P.S. She did text me later that the powder spilled all out in her purse -- maybe that will teach her!
Barbara O'Connor with her infamous Cafe Francais mix
I tried. I really did. But Barbara would NOT let me buy her a cup of real coffee. Look what she brought in a baggy! She told me she even carried that evil Cafe Francais stuff around France! I'm thinking an intervention is in order if we ever get her to Seattle.
Love,
Kirby
P.S. She did text me later that the powder spilled all out in her purse -- maybe that will teach her!
Barbara O'Connor with her infamous Cafe Francais mix
NCTE photo album
Upon arrival in New York to spend Thanksgiving with our son, I got sidetracked from my blog. So sit back and watch the parade and then check out these photos from NCTE!
Deborah Wiles with two fans: me and WWU prof Nancy Johnson
A group of teachers with a few of the books they collected from exhibitors
Me and Miss Rumphius -- Tricia Stohr-Hunt, Queen of nonfiction and poetry
I finally get to meet Kaylan Adair, Candlewick editor and long time pen pal
Al Capone's BFF, Gennifer Choldenko and me
Me with two of the three Texas Sweethearts, PJ Hoover and Jessica Anderson
Getting ready to head into the Scholastic Literary Brunch, channeling my inner 1940s self, courtesy of my daughter's darling mother-in-law (and uber seamstress), Carla Keats
Tables ready for the teachers!
Derrick Barnes, Lois Lowry, Judy Blundell, Pam Munoz Ryan, me, Lisa Yee (where's Peepy?)
Deborah Wiles with two fans: me and WWU prof Nancy Johnson
A group of teachers with a few of the books they collected from exhibitors
Me and Miss Rumphius -- Tricia Stohr-Hunt, Queen of nonfiction and poetry
I finally get to meet Kaylan Adair, Candlewick editor and long time pen pal
Al Capone's BFF, Gennifer Choldenko and me
Me with two of the three Texas Sweethearts, PJ Hoover and Jessica Anderson
Getting ready to head into the Scholastic Literary Brunch, channeling my inner 1940s self, courtesy of my daughter's darling mother-in-law (and uber seamstress), Carla Keats
Tables ready for the teachers!
Derrick Barnes, Lois Lowry, Judy Blundell, Pam Munoz Ryan, me, Lisa Yee (where's Peepy?)
November 19, 2010
NCTE!
Well, I can now say that I spoke to a standing room only crowd. Not only SRO, but flowing out the room, sitting in the hallway kind of crowd!
Of course, these folks all came to hear Lois Lowry but I am willing to ride on her shirttails for a day or so. Not only is she a terrific writer, she is one heck of a nice person. I felt as if we'd know each other forever. Though we do have one little point of friction between us: she had the nerve to say her dog is cuter than mine. Alfy is a Tibetan Terrier, like a half-size English Shepherd. He is adorable; absolutely. But we all know that there is no dog on this earth cuter than Winston the Wonder Dog.
After our successful presentation, I snuck off for lunch with Gennifer Choldenko. We navigated the labyrinth of hallways at the Coronado Springs Convention Center (well, we didn't navigate them well -- we had to backtrack completely to find the restaurants) and talked shop over salads. She's got a new book coming out in February that I can't wait to read. If I score an ARC tomorrow, I'll let you know.
I wandered the floor after lunch, killing time until my Random House signing. I snagged hugs from Dr. Nancy Johnson and Mitali Perkins and too many other folks to name before sitting down to sign my very first ARC of The Friendship Doll!!! Oh, and I signed a copy or two of that other book I did for Delacorte. I think it's called Hattie Blue Sky or something like that. After my hour at the RH booth, I zoomed to Bloomsbury/Walker to sign Two Bobbies. Even though that book's been out a good while, it still has huge fans. One teacher told me how she linked the book to a unit on heroes, and included it on a bibliography she was doing to help author T.A. Barron and his Everyone a Hero project. After Walker, it was on to Scholastic to sign The Fences Between Us. The line went on forever! Okay, most of the folks were holding their precious copies of The Giver for Lois Lowry to sign, but it was still great fun. And during the shuttle ride back to the hotel, I learned about Lois' new book, coming out in March, illustrated by Eric Rohman, a friend from my one visit to Downers Grove, Illinois.
I swore I would not accumulate any books but SOMEHOW some books did find their way into my bag. I'm addicted. I can't help it.
Tomorrow I have a quieter day . . .maybe there will even be time to sneak over to Universal Studios to check out the Harry Potter exhibit.
(I had hoped to have pictures to show you but internet speeds/connection in Mickey's house is, well, kind of Mickey Mouse.)
Of course, these folks all came to hear Lois Lowry but I am willing to ride on her shirttails for a day or so. Not only is she a terrific writer, she is one heck of a nice person. I felt as if we'd know each other forever. Though we do have one little point of friction between us: she had the nerve to say her dog is cuter than mine. Alfy is a Tibetan Terrier, like a half-size English Shepherd. He is adorable; absolutely. But we all know that there is no dog on this earth cuter than Winston the Wonder Dog.
After our successful presentation, I snuck off for lunch with Gennifer Choldenko. We navigated the labyrinth of hallways at the Coronado Springs Convention Center (well, we didn't navigate them well -- we had to backtrack completely to find the restaurants) and talked shop over salads. She's got a new book coming out in February that I can't wait to read. If I score an ARC tomorrow, I'll let you know.
I wandered the floor after lunch, killing time until my Random House signing. I snagged hugs from Dr. Nancy Johnson and Mitali Perkins and too many other folks to name before sitting down to sign my very first ARC of The Friendship Doll!!! Oh, and I signed a copy or two of that other book I did for Delacorte. I think it's called Hattie Blue Sky or something like that. After my hour at the RH booth, I zoomed to Bloomsbury/Walker to sign Two Bobbies. Even though that book's been out a good while, it still has huge fans. One teacher told me how she linked the book to a unit on heroes, and included it on a bibliography she was doing to help author T.A. Barron and his Everyone a Hero project. After Walker, it was on to Scholastic to sign The Fences Between Us. The line went on forever! Okay, most of the folks were holding their precious copies of The Giver for Lois Lowry to sign, but it was still great fun. And during the shuttle ride back to the hotel, I learned about Lois' new book, coming out in March, illustrated by Eric Rohman, a friend from my one visit to Downers Grove, Illinois.
I swore I would not accumulate any books but SOMEHOW some books did find their way into my bag. I'm addicted. I can't help it.
Tomorrow I have a quieter day . . .maybe there will even be time to sneak over to Universal Studios to check out the Harry Potter exhibit.
(I had hoped to have pictures to show you but internet speeds/connection in Mickey's house is, well, kind of Mickey Mouse.)
In Another World
I spent a good part of Thursday scrunched up against the window of the airplane on which I was flying to Orlando. The nice young man next to me had a cruddy cold and I tried not to cringe every time he sneezed, coughed or blew his nose. Good thing I brought a ton of Emergen-C! (Which, btw, got my suitcase pulled out of the xray machine and handsearched. I guess TSA has something against things that are wholesome and healthy).
There was a Starbucks on my way to pick up a taxi at the Orlando airport and, even though I was the only customer, the barista asked for my name. At her blank expression, I spelled it out for her. This is her version:
Upon arrival at the Disney World Yacht Club Resort (surprise -- everything and everyone is decked out uber-nautically), I found this on my bed:
Tis a small world after all -- after my morning presentation (did I mention I am on a panel with THE Lois Lowry?!), I get to lunch with my favorite Capone fan, Gennifer Choldenko. And rumor has it that my best bud, Barbara O'Connor and I will actually be able to meet in person -- though for far too short a time -- over coffee (not Cafe Francais, if I can help it) on Sunday morning.
More bulletins as news warrants!
There was a Starbucks on my way to pick up a taxi at the Orlando airport and, even though I was the only customer, the barista asked for my name. At her blank expression, I spelled it out for her. This is her version:
Upon arrival at the Disney World Yacht Club Resort (surprise -- everything and everyone is decked out uber-nautically), I found this on my bed:
Tis a small world after all -- after my morning presentation (did I mention I am on a panel with THE Lois Lowry?!), I get to lunch with my favorite Capone fan, Gennifer Choldenko. And rumor has it that my best bud, Barbara O'Connor and I will actually be able to meet in person -- though for far too short a time -- over coffee (not Cafe Francais, if I can help it) on Sunday morning.
More bulletins as news warrants!
November 18, 2010
Shout Out to Schmitz Park
What a great day I had at Schmitz Park Elementary School in West Seattle. Look at this sampling of the great photos the kids drew while their teacher read aloud to them from Hattie Big Sky. Enjoy!
The barn burning
Perilee
Before and after the hailstorm that destroyed Hattie's crops
The barn burning
Perilee
Before and after the hailstorm that destroyed Hattie's crops
